ARRIVE AT PORT ESSINGTON. 475 



to avoid any collision with the natives. As soon 

 as the chiefs became aware of his intention, they 

 were most anxious he should remain, and made 

 every profession of friendship to induce him to do 

 so ; but he had heard so much of their treachery 

 from the traders at Arru that he resisted their 

 entreaties, and returned on board at half-past 

 eleven. As soon as the boats were hoisted up, we 

 made sail for Port Essington, and anchored there 

 on the 15th of April. 



It was our intention to have concluded this 

 volume with Captain Stanley's narrative, but as the 

 following account of the daring manner in which 

 Mr. Watson rescued the English boy from the 

 savages of Timor Laut, has fallen into our hands, 

 and as doubtless it was the cause of the stranofe 

 and suspicious reception the Britomart's boats met 

 with on their second visit to Oliliet, we here lay it 

 before our readers : — 



" Mr. Watson had not been off the island long, before 

 his vessel, the schooner Essingtqn, was surrounded by 

 eleven armed canoes, for the purpose of attack. The chief 

 wished Mr. Watson to go in and anchor, which he refused, 

 but shewed him that he was ready for defence in case of any 

 outrage on their part. The chief, thinking he could entrap 

 him, made signs of friendship, and Mr. Watson allowed 

 him and his crew to come on board. The chief then said 



